Paralympic torch relay to light up Twitter1 min read

With the Paralympic Games just around the corner, organisers have unveiled a unique way to follow the Torch’s relay as it travels to the opening ceremony.

Twitter users around the world are being asked to help ‘light’ the flame by including the hashtag #ParalympicFlame in their tweets. The Rio 2016 website will collate all of the hashtag mentions and generate a hashtag to see which country is sending the most “positive energy”.

As the torch visits six cities on its journey – Brasilia, Belem, Natal, Sao Paulo, Joinville, and Rio de Janeiro – users are also being encouraged to celebrate the Games’ values of equality, determination, inspiration, transformation, courage, and passion in each respective city.

The 250 kilometre journey will be completed by 745 torchbearers, who will each visit institutions which work to improve the lives of people with an impairment. Along the way the torch will also be part of ceremonies in public spaces.

During the Paralympic Games, which start on 7 September and run for 11 days, the flame will burn in a special cauldron in the centre of Rio.